Olajide Fashina, the CEO of Olageospatial Global Investment Company (OGIC), has called for legal and systemic reforms of the electoral system in Nigeria.
Fashina expressed his concerns about the current state of the electoral system during an interview with Family FM radio in Abeokuta.
His remarks were made in response to the final report on the 2023 general election in Nigeria by the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, Barry Andrews.
Fashina emphasized that despite being a developing country, Nigeria still has room for growth and improvement in its electoral system. He highlighted three different perspectives regarding elections in the country.
"Firstly, there are individuals who are skeptical about any election process. Secondly, some prefer to maintain the status quo, regardless of its benefits.
"Lastly, there are individuals who support the idea of continuous improvement in the political arena, particularly for future elections." He said
The CEO stressed the need to identify areas for improvement in Nigeria's electoral system.
While noting the influence of money in elections, he emphasized that financial inducements often lead people to vote for the wrong candidates.
Fashina said both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerian citizens share responsibility for the flaws in the election system.
He added that an impoverished population is more vulnerable to manipulation and may not make informed choices during elections.
To address these challenges, Fashina urged the government to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians.
He called for increased efforts in public education and the tackling of issues such as ballot snatching, thuggery, and voter manipulation.
He also stressed the importance of addressing social and economic disparities in Nigeria, emphasizing the significant literacy gap between the rich and the poor and the need to improve the educational system.
Fashina advocated for policies that improve the quality of life for citizens, empower the youth, and develop a robust economic plan.
He mentioned the importance of strong institutions to prevent the misuse of public funds by political officeholders, emphasizing the need for transparency in budget allocation and monitoring to combat corruption.
The CEO expressed appreciation for the autonomy granted to Nigeria's judicial system, acknowledging its role in ensuring accountability among judges.
He noted the positive impact of social media in promoting justice and emphasized the importance of ongoing improvements in the justice system.